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-   -   feedback on apartment in Paris (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/feedback-on-apartment-in-paris-370288/)

g29 Jun 1st, 2008 05:05 AM

feedback on apartment in Paris
 
Hi,

We are hoping to have a four night stay in Paris in November.

Have found this place:

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Fra...ris/p52089.htm

Would appreciate feedback on it. Do you think it's in a suitable area for sightseeing...easy to reach...safe etc. Most imporatantly is it value for money? We would want to ideally spend around 200 euros for 4 nights. This is over our budget...however I wasn't able to find anything within our "ideal" budget.

Would really value feedback...or any other suggestions for our given price range.

Thanks a lot
G

avalon Jun 1st, 2008 05:20 AM

It looks ideal to me. The area is certainbly safe. It would be hard to find an apt for 50 Euro a night.

seafox Jun 1st, 2008 05:28 AM

I agree that you will not find one more central. The location is good and along a main METRO line. Another option is the property at 40 rue Chapon which is managed by www.rentparis.com. I have stayed in that one and it is small but nice and in a greta location (edge of the Marais and close to Pompidou). Price is about the same.

g29 Jun 1st, 2008 05:46 AM

Thanks Avalon...this looked fine to me as well...and at 315 e for four days...not such a bad deal...though I think I will try and look for some more places later in the month...also maybe someone on the forum might know of a place...we are keeping our fingers crossed.

Seafox 40 rue Chapon looks lovely...especially with the exposed beams...however it is way beyond our budget at 115 e/night. We may be able to use this information for another trip sometime:)...thanks a lot.


Sarvowinner Jun 1st, 2008 05:52 AM

Hi Seafox

We have rented an apartment that sleeps 10 for Xmas at 35 rue Chapon. I would love any info/tips about the area. Restaurants, bakeries and markets etc. Did you write a trip report.

Thanks

Julie

MomDDTravel Jun 1st, 2008 06:24 AM

Julie what apartment did you rent that sleeps ten? I am curious for our future visits to Paris.

Sarvowinner Jun 1st, 2008 11:47 PM

Hi MomDDTravel

It is actually rented through a gay rental site www.absoluliving.com They have been very friendly and helpful and had no problems renting to gay friendly heterosexuals. Our apartment is http://tinyurl.com/3e37eq

After the crap we went through with Paris Attitude, it has been a breath of fresh air dealing with Patrick and Simon.

MomDDTravel Jun 2nd, 2008 06:39 AM

what is a gay rental site?

seafox Jun 2nd, 2008 06:15 PM

Sarvowinner - rue Chapon is the edge of the Marais. A good location. The street itself has many wholesale dealers that specialize in hand bags and luggage. By and large it is very quiet. It opens up on to the rue Rambateau, giving you access to the Metro at Arts et Meteir in one direction and hotel d'Ville in the other. You will find groceries, bakeries and several markets in the area. Within a day you should be adjusted. There are several good restaurants in the immediate area. 404 is a great Moroccan experience. Au Bascou close to the arts et Metier Metro is great basque food and the aligot at La Ambasade d'Auverne is a special treat. You are close to Les Halles, many of the gay clubs/bars as well. Sorry about my spelling tonight - likely the apartment will have some maps, guides etc. This will get you started, please feel free to ask questions.

Sarvowinner Jun 5th, 2008 05:08 AM

Thanks Seafox. We are so looking forward to it. The area sounds great.

Where would be the best place to do a major grocery shop?

With 4 teenagers, we need to have lots of stuff in the apartment to keep them fed. Of course, we also want to hit the markets, but will need to stock up on cereals, lunch stuffs, soft drinks etc.

Mom, the agency is set up to provide accommodation to gay travellers, but doesn't mind renting to heterosexuals.

flsd Jun 5th, 2008 05:14 AM

>>>>>>>what is a gay rental site?

Happy and carefree? :\

Sarvowinner Jun 5th, 2008 05:21 AM

;)

MomDDTravel Jun 5th, 2008 07:52 AM

You are all pretty funny. :-)

plafield Jul 14th, 2008 08:14 PM

Seafox, we are seriously considering renting that apartment at 40 rue Chapon and I would love some details. It looks like it's ideal for one person but it looks pretty tiny and wonder if it would be comfortable for 2 of us. Is there any place to hang up clothes? a place to store luggage? And it appears the only tale to eat at is the coffe table in front of the couch.

How was Rentparis to deal with? I'm wondering about the 300E security deposit too. Any issues there? Any comments/details about your experience in this apartment would be greatly appreciated.

Guenmai Jul 15th, 2008 09:45 AM

Type in the Search Box..."Guenmai's Paris Apartment Rental Experience". I go into detail about the apartment I rented through vacationinparis.com...where one pays in U.S.dollars as they're in New Jersey. Happy Travels!

seafox Jul 15th, 2008 05:01 PM

sorry - I lost track of this thread. In terms of shopping there are a few options in the area to include a market and a Fran Prix. Your apartment should have a map. Keep in mind that central Paris will have nothing like an American Grocery store. The store fronts will be small and the store itself will reach back into the building, but it will be small, Bring your strong armed teens to help carry bags and botles of beverages.

40 rue Chapon is small but certainly fine for two. It is on 2 levels, the first is a small kitchen, LR with a sofa, chair and TV. Yes, you will have to eat at the coffee table. Up a narrow circular stair is the bedroom with a king size bed and a small bathroom. there is an armoire for hanging clothing. I found the unit to be a good value in a good location. Rent Paris is very easy to deal with. We have rented several times. They will take a cc impression for the deposit, returning it to you to destroy when you leave (assuming there are no problems). So, they do not actually charge your card, they just have the impression for security. Perhaps the only disconcerting part is that upon your arrival you are to call them as you leave CDG (that can be challenge).. Fabrice will meet you at the door to your apartment. Traffic can be a challenges for both parties. You may arrive before him and have to wait outside. So, it feels a little uncomfortable. Know that they are VERY reliable and they will get there as soon as possible.

plafield Jul 15th, 2008 07:48 PM

Thanks Seafox. Is there a good bakery close by to run out for breakfast bread? Did you use the internet while you were there?
Also, we'd be staying for 8 nights(after 5 nights in Belgium)so we'll have a fair amount of clothing. Is there anyplace to unpack besides that small armoire? And what about some place to store the luggage?

We're trying to decide between this place and a VRBO apartment on the corner of Rambateau and Quincapoix. That one has a little patio but other than that, no windows so we're concerned about lack of ventilation if it's warm in May. It's nice to have the option of air conditioning if we need it. Did you use the air at all and if so, was it adequate?

We won't be coming from the airport but from the train station coming in from Belgium so I imagine we would likely get to the apartment before they do. Oh well. We can deal with that. Thanks for the info.

seafox Jul 16th, 2008 04:15 PM

There is a good bakery about a 5 min. walk from the apartment. Turn right out the door, left on Rambeteau, down a couple of blocks and then left on a street that has a grocer, 7/11 style tabac, baker, butcher etc. I can't recall the name at the moment. There are others in the area as well. We were there in November and just opened windows - I did not even notice A/C. It was a couple of years ago and I do not recall the internet being available at that time, nor do I see it noted on their site - you may want to verify. The armoire is large - not the small red chest in the photo. In terms of luggage there is not a lot of extra space, we had soft bags that is was able to collapse and put under the bed. You should be able to put them to the side of the bed or someplace, I wouldn't worry about them.

plafield Jul 16th, 2008 07:56 PM

Thanks Seafox. Thay do say:

"The telephone answering machine means that you can be contacted 24/24 and your international telephone calls are free and unlimited from France to North America if you take out the Internet option (4 €/Day)." which implies there is an internet connection available for a fee. I guess I'll have to ask them about it if we decide to rent this place.

It's a tough decision between this and the other little apartment that has a little patio but seems to have no other windows. There are numerous pros and cons to each. And we're still considering going back to Hotel Jeanne D'Arc, where we spent 10 lovely nights. Their rate is about the same as these apartments, nice room, great location, but no kitchen at all. What a happy dilemma!

Christina Jul 17th, 2008 10:51 AM

It may not be true around there, but there certainly are large supermarkets in central Paris, it just depends where you are. There are not any I know of in the 5th arrondisement, I'm not that familiar with the Right Bank. But there is one in the bottom of the Monoprix right near St Germain des Pres metro, for example, and the Champion supermarket on rue de Buci (or Seine, one of those) is a pretty big regular supermarket, although I don't think as big as the Monoprix. There are others, also, depending what your definition of central Paris is.


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